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Author
Topic: Subtypes (Read 2657 times)

I apologise in advance for my poor communication skills, spelling and potential to offend any minority groups.

I was involved in an unprotected incident two and a half years ago and suffered classic seroconversion symptoms at the correct time after the event. The girl that I was with was high risk.

I have tested negative at six months past the incident and again at two years post the incident and have been celebit every since the incident as it was the result of a broken condom and therefore I have no faith in rubber anymore. The condom breakage was catastrophic.

The celebacy does not bother me as it is my choice so as not to have to go through this again, and being one ugly bastard with no social grace it is not a hard decision to follow through on.

The fact is that I am bored worrying about HIV and due to the symptoms at the time and my ongoing declining white blood count believe that I was infected. I am aware that white blood cell count is not the same as CD4 count.

Without wishing to exasperate, or get on anyones tits, can anyone verify whether the ELISA used in the UK covers all groups, M, N and O and all the subtypes within group M of HIV 1. I know that the test covered HIV 2.

If not would a PCR of any sort pick up the more unusual groups.

I know that I will be met with a chorus of what are you worried aout, but I need help with this and no one at my GUM has a clue, they had bearly heard of HIV2.

I do not need counselling or mental health help as I know longer give a shit about this, I gave up long ago, I have chosen the life I have now as it fits round my physical ability, or lack of given the ongoing fatigue. I am not nervous or insane, would just like to get to the bottom of this so that I can think about doing something constructive rather than just sitting here letting life pass me by.

If you were infected, your six month test would have picked that up no matter what subtype. Subtypes don't matter.

You first joined these forums two years ago this month. I'm quite sure it's been explained to you in the past that people are not high risk, it's certain activities that are. I cannot believe you are still trotting out that tired "she was high risk" line.

You will not be allowed to use this forum in place of the face-to-face help you need. If you cannot accept your negative status, I'm afraid there's not much we can do for you. If you insist on using this place instead of counseling and working with your GP concerning your blood counts etc, you will quickly be given a time out to encourage you to seek the help you need. Your needs are far beyond the scope of this forum.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

As I explained in the top of the thread Ann, I did not mean to offend anyone, I am a dog and my activities were high risk.

I do not need to face to face help as there is no one I can find to discuss subtypes. I cannot find any information regarding subtypes and it is not an unreasonable question.

Like I say, no offence to the girl, there is no one lower than myself and thats a fact. My calling her high risk is in no way a judgement call, I don't care what someone is or does, but as you point out activities are high risk not people, and I was at high risk.

I am more than happy to keep getting my white blood counts and keep recieving declining counts for the next ten years, but I don't think I am being unreasonable in asking for advice on subtypes as everything else has been ruled out.

You've tested negative way past any window period. If you were concerned about subtypes then why didn't you ask where you had your test administered? You are conclusively negative, so I do not see why the discussion of subtypes would be of a concern. This is a risk assessment website not a HIV101 course in microbiology.

You are the one who is insisting that HIV is still potentially an issue for you in relation to a risk for which you have conclusively tested negative. You are HIV negative. Period. End of story.

If you are having physical problems which are concerning you that's something you should be discussing with your doctor(s). Such problems do not negate your HIV test results and your focusing on something that is not an issue, i.e. subtypes, has no basis in HIV science. Stop practicing HIV medicine on yourself without a license. It's bad for your health.

You need to look elsewhere for an explanation if you are having health issues.

Your suggestion Rodney regarding asking about subtypes where I had the test administered is something that I did whilst I was having the test and no one there had even heard of subtypes. It was only when I pointed my results out to the counsellor that she realised that there was both HIV 1 and 2 in circulation. She then went on to say something to the effect of there being so much we don't know about HIV yet and if there is a subtype the is not picked up then you won't know until it is apparent with declining health. This was identical to the response that I got from a private Dr, although admittidly she was not an HIV specialist.

My GP admits that my symptoms look like a viral illness, but knows my results and he is not an HIV specialist and so cannot comment on subtypes.

There really is no one who knows anyting about the ELISA being performed in the UK clinics, and the most sage advice that I cant get is wait and see what happens. That's not very helpful as I feel in some form of sero limbo. Whilst the symptoms have levelled out and are bearable I feel that I need to know if it is a non detected subtype as this will influence my future moves in terms of trying to pick myself up and get a career and whether or not I try and move house. There is no point in getting involved in new stuff until I no for certain what is going on with my health. And like I say it is futile asking anyone at the GUM, my GP or the UK HIV helpline. I found that I got the best advice from here when I was in the window period and therefore felt this is the place to come for advice on subtypes.

The reason for your lack of responses over the subtype issue is simply because it is a non-issue. The tests in use will detect ALL the subtypes. Your body will still produce the same basic antibodies no matter what the subtype.

You do NOT have hiv. If your current doctor cannot give you a satisfactory answer concerning your blood work and/or symptoms, maybe it's time you got a second or third opinion.

You also need to realise that stress and depression can have an adverse effect on your immune system in general, and can lead to all sorts of physical symptoms. I am NOT saying your physical symptoms are "all in your head", I am saying that your mental state can be reflected in your body. The mind and immune system are intricately intertwined. I highly recommend you find a good therapist and work through your stress and anxiety with a professional. As I've already suggested, your concerns are far outside the scope of these forums.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thank you Ann, that was all I needed was a response regarding subtypes and whether they are detectable or not. I have hunted high and low and if you say they are all detectable then that is good enough for me. In terms of getting a therapist, that is simply not an issue. I am not stressed or over anxious, just understandibly looking for an answer as to why my whilte blood count is on a downward spiral.

I have always had a blood count every year with a private doctors office as I am fastidious about my health and would like to catch any cancers and the like early. My count has always been high and roughly the same, and so it has not taken a giant leap or tenuous reasoning to think that the constant decline is related to the incident that I had. It really is not a mental health issue, it is just plain logic and the need for an answer so that if anything I can overcome the boredom of keep looking for it. What sort of a moron would I be if I just sat back and didn't bother keeping track of my health or trying to find an answer.

Like I say I have not been able to find any advice on subtypes, but you know more than me and therefore I shall take your answer as conclusive and find a new Dr to try and get to the bottom of this ongoing decline.

I am quite confused by Ann's answer when she states that subtypes do not matter when it comes to blood tests:

"The reason for your lack of responses over the subtype issue is simply because it is a non-issue. The tests in use will detect ALL the subtypes. Your body will still produce the same basic antibodies no matter what the subtype"